US5613303A - Oil level gauge - Google Patents

Oil level gauge Download PDF

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Publication number
US5613303A
US5613303A US08/502,559 US50255995A US5613303A US 5613303 A US5613303 A US 5613303A US 50255995 A US50255995 A US 50255995A US 5613303 A US5613303 A US 5613303A
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
rod
handle
rubber packing
oil level
level gauge
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Fee Related
Application number
US08/502,559
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English (en)
Inventor
Shigeru Kayano
Kyokuichi Sato
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Asteer Co Ltd
Original Assignee
Om Corp
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Om Corp filed Critical Om Corp
Assigned to OM CORPORATION reassignment OM CORPORATION ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: KAYANO, SHIGERU, SATO, KYOKUICHI
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US5613303A publication Critical patent/US5613303A/en
Assigned to ASTEER CO., LTD. reassignment ASTEER CO., LTD. MERGER (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: OM CORPORATION
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Fee Related legal-status Critical Current

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    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01F—MEASURING VOLUME, VOLUME FLOW, MASS FLOW OR LIQUID LEVEL; METERING BY VOLUME
    • G01F23/00—Indicating or measuring liquid level or level of fluent solid material, e.g. indicating in terms of volume or indicating by means of an alarm
    • G01F23/04—Indicating or measuring liquid level or level of fluent solid material, e.g. indicating in terms of volume or indicating by means of an alarm by dip members, e.g. dip-sticks

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an improvement of an oil level gauge for measuring the oil level in an oil tank installed in an automobile.
  • an oil level gauge comprises a rod, a handle and a rubber packing as disclosed in, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,488,855, 4,941,268, 5,113,594, etc.
  • the rod is ordinarily made of spring steel so that it can be elastically deformed.
  • the handle is made of steel wire or synthetic resin and can be used as a lid for a gauge insertion hole.
  • the packing can be used as the lid for the gauge insertion hole.
  • the rod In the oil level gauge having such a structure of the various parts, the rod has to be securely connected to the handle when the gauge is inserted into or pulled out of the gauge insertion hole, and water must not enter into the oil tank through the gauge insertion hole.
  • the rod and the handle are mechanically connected to each other by means of rivets, and the rubber packing is adhered to the rod during baking.
  • a separately-manufactured cup-like lid is attached to the rod and fixedly connected by brazing.
  • the components of the oil level gauge are not integrally connected by welding or the like.
  • the rod and the handle are engaged with each other by a mechanical strength which is enough to prevent accidental disconnection of the rod from the handle when the oil level gauge is inserted into or extracted from the gauge insertion pipe; and (2) water does not enter into the oil tank through a gap at the joint portion between the rod and the handle.
  • the present invention aims to achieve all of the following objects: (1) to provide an oil level gauge having such a simple structure as to be easily assembled; (2) to surely prevent accidental disconnection of a handle from a rod; (3) to ensure favorable contact between a rubber packing and an inner wall of an oil gauge insertion pipe to thereby prevent sticking of the rubber packing to the inner wall of the pipe; and (4) to obtain a reliable water-proof arrangement to prevent water from entering into an oil tank.
  • an oil level gauge comprising a rod including an oil level indicator at its lower end, a handle provided at an upper portion of the rod, and a rubber packing fitted on the rod in the vicinity of the handle.
  • the handle includes a hollow body with a through hole, whose inner surface is formed with a stepped shoulder at the upper portion, and an upper opening portion above the stepped portion.
  • the oil level gauge further comprises a cover attached on the upper opening portion of the handle to close it, the cover including a projection extending downwardly from a rear surface thereof.
  • the rod is provided with a separation groove at its upper end, into which the downward projection of the cover is inserted.
  • the rod also includes an engagement portion of which width at its distal end is smaller than a diameter of the through hole of the handle, the width of the engagement portion being increased so that it is larger than the diameter of the through hole at the proximal end.
  • the rubber packing is provided at an upper portion of the rod so as to be located inside a skirt portion formed in the handle. The rubber packing is kept compressed in its axial direction and securely holds the handle on the rod via the elasticity.
  • the rubber packing includes ribs formed on an outer peripheral surface of expanded parts thereof.
  • the ribs described above may be continuously formed on the outer peripheral surface of the packing like an annular ring. Alternatively, a plurality of projections having lengths of several millimeters may be spacedly provided.
  • FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of an oil level gauge according to the present invention, cross-sectionally showing an essential portion of the oil level gauge;
  • FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the oil level gauge before it is assembled
  • FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the oil level gauge when it is inserted in a gauge insertion pipe of an oil tank;
  • FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional enlarged view of the rubber packing when it is in close-contact with an inner wall of the gauge insertion pipe;
  • FIG. 6 is an enlarged plan view of a rubber packing according to another embodiment of the invention.
  • FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of an oil level gauge according to the present invention, cross-sectionally showing an essential portion of the oil level gauge.
  • FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the oil level gauge before it is assembled.
  • FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the oil level gauge when it is inserted in a gauge insertion pipe of an oil tank.
  • the oil level gauge of this invention comprises a rod 3 made of resin, a handle 2 mounted on an upper portion of the rod 3, and a rubber packing 4 fitted on the rod 3 in the vicinity of the handle.
  • a cover 1 is attached to the handle 2.
  • the open end of the gauge insertion pipe 21 is flared.
  • FIG. 2 is an exploded elevational view illustrating a series of components to be assembled into the oil level gauge.
  • the rod 3 includes an engagement portion 5 and a separation groove 6 at its upper end portion.
  • the engagement portion 5 has outwardly-extending claws for snap-fitting.
  • Below the engagement portion 5, the rod includes an enlarged-diameter portion 12 on which the packing is fitted, and a flange 13 for limiting displacement of the packing.
  • the rod further includes a small-diameter column-like portion 14 below the flange 13, and a flat oil level indicator 15 at its lower end.
  • the handle 2 includes a body having a through hole 16 and a skirt portion 7 at a lower portion of the body, a stepped shoulder 8 formed at an upper end of an inner surface of the hollow body, and a large-diameter opening portion above the stepped shoulder 8.
  • the skirt portion 7 serves to cover the inlet of the gauge insertion pipe 21 of the oil tank 20.
  • the stepped shoulder 8 is engaged with the engagement portion 5 composed of the snap-fitting claws.
  • the handle 2 is provided with an engageable ridge 17 at its upper end, the ridge protruding radially outwardly so that the cover 1 for covering the opening portion of the handle can be attached to the handle by snap action.
  • the diameter of the engageable ridge 17 is large at its upper portion and small at its lower portion.
  • the handle 2 further includes a cup-like large-diameter knob portion 18 formed below the ridge 17.
  • the cover 1 is formed in a disk-like shape, and it includes a projection 9 downwardly extending from a rear surface of the cover.
  • the downward projection 9 is adapted for being inserted into the separation groove 6.
  • the cover 1 also includes a wall extending in parallel with the downward projection, the wall being formed at a peripheral edge of the cover on the same surface as the projection 9.
  • An engageable edge 19 is provided at a distal end of the wall, the engageable edge protruding radially inwardly so as to engage with the above-described ridge 17.
  • FIG. 4 is a front elevational view showing the rubber packing 4 on an enlarged scale.
  • the rubber packing 4 is mounted on the upper portion of the rod 3, and it locates within the skirt portion 7 of the handle 2.
  • the intermediate portion of the rubber packing 4 is reduced in diameter, and two expanded parts 10 are formed above and below the reduced-diameter intermediate portion.
  • Ribs 11 are formed on an outer peripheral surface of the two expanded parts 10. Due to the ribs 11, when the packing 4 fitted on the rod is inserted in the gauge insertion pipe 21 as shown in FIG. 5, the ribs 11 are in press-contact with an inner wall of the pipe 21 so that concave portions 22 are formed above and below the ribs 11 of each expanded portion. Oil is collected in the concave portions 22, thereby preventing the rubber packing from sticking to the inner wall of the pipe 21.
  • FIG. 6 is a plan view of a rubber packing 4 according to another embodiment of the invention, the rubber packing 4 including side grooves 23 extending substantially in parallel with the rod.
  • the side grooves 23 are provided for assuring ventilation.
  • the present invention can be applied also to a rubber packing without side grooves.
  • the above-described skirt portion 7 prevents scattered water from entering into the oil tank when such side grooves for the ventilation are provided on the surface of the packing.
  • a number of protrusions 11 having small lengths are provided on an outer peripheral surface of expanded portions 10 of the packing at certain intervals.
  • the oil level gauge of the present invention in case of assembling, when the upper portion of the rod 3 is inserted into the hollow body of the handle 2, the engagement portion 5 composed of the snap-fitting claws at the upper end of the rod passes through the hollow body of the handle because the separation groove is narrowed.
  • the packing 4 is mounted on the upper portion of the rod 3 at the predetermined attachment position.
  • the separation groove 6 is restored to its original state so that the engagement portion 5 is brought into engaging condition with the stepped shoulder 8 of the handle 2.
  • the rubber packing 4 which is formed to be slightly higher than the longitudinal length (or the height) of the skirt portion of the rubber packing, becomes compressed in the axial direction and, as a result, expands outwardly.
  • the rubber packing 4 expands from the dotted line configuration to the solid outer line configuration as shown in FIG. 1.
  • the engagement portion 5 of the rod 3 and the stepped shoulder 8 of the handle 2 are brought into secure contact because the stepped shoulder 8 of the handle 2 is pressed against the under surface of the engagement portion 5 of the rod 3 by the elasticity of the rubber packing 4.
  • the handle 2 is securely held on the rod 3 in a stable fashion.
  • the oil level gauge of the invention is reduced in weight and it has such a simple structure as to be easily assembled.
  • the downward projection 9 of the cover 1 is inserted in the separation groove 6. Accordingly, even if force is applied to the engagement portion 5 having the snap-fitting claws in such a direction that the separation groove 6 is narrowed, the downward projection restrains the separation groove 6 from being narrowed, and the rod 3 is not extracted nor disconnected from the handle 2. It is thus possible to surely prevent the handle 2 from being accidentally separated from the rod 3.
  • the ribs 11 Due to the ribs 11 provided on the outer peripheral surface of the expanded portions 10 of the rubber packing 4, when the packing is inserted in the gauge insertion pipe, the ribs 11 are in press-contact with the inner wall of the pipe so that the concave portions for collecting oil therein are formed above and below the ribs 11, thereby preventing the rubber packing from sticking to the inner wall of the pipe. Also, an area of contact between the rubber packing and the inner wall of the pipe is reduced because the concave portions are formed due to the ribs 11.
  • the oil level gauge of the present invention Since the oil level gauge of the present invention has the above-described structure, it is a remarkably excellent product which possesses the following advantages: (1) the oil level gauge is reduced in weight, and it can be assembled easily by snap action; (2) the handle and the rod can be surely prevented from accidentally being disconnected from each other; (3) the rubber packing can be kept from sticking to the inner wall of the gauge insertion pipe; and (4) it is possible to completely prevent water from entering into the oil tank.

Landscapes

  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Lubrication Details And Ventilation Of Internal Combustion Engines (AREA)
US08/502,559 1994-07-15 1995-07-14 Oil level gauge Expired - Fee Related US5613303A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP16363794A JP3594655B2 (ja) 1994-07-15 1994-07-15 オイルレベルゲージ
JP6-163637 1994-07-15

Publications (1)

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US5613303A true US5613303A (en) 1997-03-25

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US08/502,559 Expired - Fee Related US5613303A (en) 1994-07-15 1995-07-14 Oil level gauge

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Cited By (20)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6314808B1 (en) * 1996-02-27 2001-11-13 Felsted Products Llc Fluid level measuring device
US20040143985A1 (en) * 2002-12-20 2004-07-29 Porter Curtis H Fluid level measuring device having at least one compressible member
US6988403B2 (en) 2001-10-01 2006-01-24 Orscheln Products Llc Fluid level measuring device
US7131213B2 (en) 2002-01-09 2006-11-07 Orscheln Products Llc Fluid level measuring device
US20090151184A1 (en) * 2007-12-13 2009-06-18 John Impellizeri Locking Engine Reservoir Dipstick Module
US20100187232A1 (en) * 2009-01-25 2010-07-29 Kurt Carl Fogle Engine oil cap protector
US8186074B2 (en) 2007-08-22 2012-05-29 Caterpillar Inc. Fluid level gauge having swivel blade
CN102536381A (zh) * 2012-03-15 2012-07-04 力帆实业(集团)股份有限公司 带锁的摩托车发动机机油尺
US9182263B2 (en) 2010-12-28 2015-11-10 Volvo Construction Equipment Ab Level gauge
FR3021402A1 (fr) * 2014-05-21 2015-11-27 Assemblage Et Brasage Soc D Ensemble jauge a etancheite amelioree
US20160003661A1 (en) * 2014-07-03 2016-01-07 Honda Motor Co., Ltd. Oil level gauge mounting structure
US20160178424A1 (en) * 2014-12-23 2016-06-23 Kohler Co. Snapfit Dipstick Assembly
CN107121174A (zh) * 2017-05-19 2017-09-01 中航工业南航（深圳）测控技术有限公司 油量传感器及油箱
US9885596B2 (en) * 2015-03-23 2018-02-06 Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha Oil level gauge
USD839816S1 (en) 2017-07-17 2019-02-05 Brunswick Corporation Dipstick
USD849812S1 (en) * 2018-03-23 2019-05-28 RB Distribution, Inc. Dip stick housing closure
US20190242280A1 (en) * 2018-02-08 2019-08-08 Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc. Locking plug mechanisms that seal openings of tube structures and methods of sealing openings of the structures
US10527479B2 (en) 2018-03-23 2020-01-07 RB Distribution, Inc. Dip stick housing and closure assembly
US20210246816A1 (en) * 2018-09-26 2021-08-12 Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft Measuring Rod, in Particular Oil Dip-Stick, for an Internal Combustion Engine, in Particular of a Motor Vehicle, Arrangement of Such a Measuring Rod in a Guide Tube, and Motor Vehicle
US20220340337A1 (en) * 2021-04-27 2022-10-27 Deere & Company Fluid port assembly and plug

Families Citing this family (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP5652600B2 (ja) * 2010-08-02 2015-01-14 Nok株式会社 オイルレベルゲージ
JP5465735B2 (ja) * 2012-01-26 2014-04-09 中国電力株式会社 液位計測棒
CN109139185B (zh) * 2017-06-28 2024-02-13 北京福田康明斯发动机有限公司 润滑油测量装置和具有该润滑油测量装置的发动机和车辆

Citations (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3488855A (en) * 1967-08-24 1970-01-13 Allis Chalmers Mfg Co Oil level gauge
US4021924A (en) * 1975-07-23 1977-05-10 Estan Manufacturing Company Dip stick
US4761886A (en) * 1986-04-01 1988-08-09 Perkins Engines Group Limited Dipstick for measuring oil or fluid levels
US4941268A (en) * 1989-02-02 1990-07-17 Navistar International Transportation Corp. Oil level gauge
US4965942A (en) * 1990-04-17 1990-10-30 Moeller Manufacturing Co., Inc. Dipstick handle
JPH0346519A (ja) * 1989-07-15 1991-02-27 Nok Corp オイルレベルゲージの製造方法
US5113594A (en) * 1990-05-02 1992-05-19 Aisin Aw Co., Ltd. Oil level gauge
JPH0532706A (ja) * 1991-07-26 1993-02-09 Sekisui Chem Co Ltd 塩化ビニル系樹脂の製造方法
US5485681A (en) * 1994-06-28 1996-01-23 Moeller Products, Inc. Swivel type dipstik

Patent Citations (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3488855A (en) * 1967-08-24 1970-01-13 Allis Chalmers Mfg Co Oil level gauge
US4021924A (en) * 1975-07-23 1977-05-10 Estan Manufacturing Company Dip stick
US4761886A (en) * 1986-04-01 1988-08-09 Perkins Engines Group Limited Dipstick for measuring oil or fluid levels
US4941268A (en) * 1989-02-02 1990-07-17 Navistar International Transportation Corp. Oil level gauge
JPH0346519A (ja) * 1989-07-15 1991-02-27 Nok Corp オイルレベルゲージの製造方法
US4965942A (en) * 1990-04-17 1990-10-30 Moeller Manufacturing Co., Inc. Dipstick handle
US5113594A (en) * 1990-05-02 1992-05-19 Aisin Aw Co., Ltd. Oil level gauge
JPH0532706A (ja) * 1991-07-26 1993-02-09 Sekisui Chem Co Ltd 塩化ビニル系樹脂の製造方法
US5485681A (en) * 1994-06-28 1996-01-23 Moeller Products, Inc. Swivel type dipstik

Cited By (31)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6453740B1 (en) 1996-02-27 2002-09-24 Felsted Products Llc Fluid level measuring device
US6314808B1 (en) * 1996-02-27 2001-11-13 Felsted Products Llc Fluid level measuring device
US7055384B2 (en) 1996-02-27 2006-06-06 Orscheln Products Llc Fluid level measuring device
US6988403B2 (en) 2001-10-01 2006-01-24 Orscheln Products Llc Fluid level measuring device
US7131213B2 (en) 2002-01-09 2006-11-07 Orscheln Products Llc Fluid level measuring device
US7134220B2 (en) * 2002-12-20 2006-11-14 Orscheln Products Llc Fluid level measuring device having at least one compressible member
US20040143985A1 (en) * 2002-12-20 2004-07-29 Porter Curtis H Fluid level measuring device having at least one compressible member
US8186074B2 (en) 2007-08-22 2012-05-29 Caterpillar Inc. Fluid level gauge having swivel blade
US20090151184A1 (en) * 2007-12-13 2009-06-18 John Impellizeri Locking Engine Reservoir Dipstick Module
US7779555B2 (en) * 2007-12-13 2010-08-24 Lokar, Inc. Locking engine reservoir dipstick module
US20100187232A1 (en) * 2009-01-25 2010-07-29 Kurt Carl Fogle Engine oil cap protector
US8291608B2 (en) * 2009-01-25 2012-10-23 Kurt Karl Fogle Engine oil cap protector
US9182263B2 (en) 2010-12-28 2015-11-10 Volvo Construction Equipment Ab Level gauge
CN102536381A (zh) * 2012-03-15 2012-07-04 力帆实业(集团)股份有限公司 带锁的摩托车发动机机油尺
FR3021402A1 (fr) * 2014-05-21 2015-11-27 Assemblage Et Brasage Soc D Ensemble jauge a etancheite amelioree
US20160003661A1 (en) * 2014-07-03 2016-01-07 Honda Motor Co., Ltd. Oil level gauge mounting structure
US9804014B2 (en) * 2014-07-03 2017-10-31 Honda Motor Co., Ltd. Oil level gauge mounting structure
US20160178424A1 (en) * 2014-12-23 2016-06-23 Kohler Co. Snapfit Dipstick Assembly
US9752915B2 (en) * 2014-12-23 2017-09-05 Kohler, Co. Snapfit dipstick assembly
US9885596B2 (en) * 2015-03-23 2018-02-06 Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha Oil level gauge
CN107121174B (zh) * 2017-05-19 2019-07-02 中航工业南航（深圳）测控技术有限公司 油量传感器及油箱
CN107121174A (zh) * 2017-05-19 2017-09-01 中航工业南航（深圳）测控技术有限公司 油量传感器及油箱
USD839816S1 (en) 2017-07-17 2019-02-05 Brunswick Corporation Dipstick
US20190242280A1 (en) * 2018-02-08 2019-08-08 Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc. Locking plug mechanisms that seal openings of tube structures and methods of sealing openings of the structures
US10731528B2 (en) * 2018-02-08 2020-08-04 Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc. Locking plug mechanisms that seal openings of tube structures and methods of sealing openings of the structures
USD849812S1 (en) * 2018-03-23 2019-05-28 RB Distribution, Inc. Dip stick housing closure
US10527479B2 (en) 2018-03-23 2020-01-07 RB Distribution, Inc. Dip stick housing and closure assembly
US20210246816A1 (en) * 2018-09-26 2021-08-12 Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft Measuring Rod, in Particular Oil Dip-Stick, for an Internal Combustion Engine, in Particular of a Motor Vehicle, Arrangement of Such a Measuring Rod in a Guide Tube, and Motor Vehicle
US11859521B2 (en) * 2018-09-26 2024-01-02 Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft Measuring rod, in particular oil dip-stick, for an internal combustion engine, in particular of a motor vehicle, arrangement of such a measuring rod in a guide tube, and motor vehicle
US20220340337A1 (en) * 2021-04-27 2022-10-27 Deere & Company Fluid port assembly and plug
US11787601B2 (en) * 2021-04-27 2023-10-17 Deere & Company Fluid port assembly and plug

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
JP3594655B2 (ja) 2004-12-02
JPH0829234A (ja) 1996-02-02

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